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“Maybe after the weekend,” I hinted. “See you Monday morning.”
“You can’t leave like that.”
I laughed. “Have a good weekend, Meg.”
I left her to contend with Addie. I ignored my officemate’s sideway glare when I stacked my files and turned off my laptop at least an hour early for a work day. After working together in close quarters for over a month, Addie still hadn’t warmed up to the idea of sharing space. She didn’t like to collaborate on cases. She didn’t like to share the students.
Most days I felt as if she were guarding secrets, protecting her methods in case I might steal them. The program was competitive, but I didn’t view the other attorneys as my nemeses. I accepted she did.
The odds were stacked against us. With the amount of residents in the program and a limited faculty slot, the margin was too narrow to get caught up in defeating each other. Working in the clinic helped me see that there was enough evil being waged on women in the world. I wasn’t about to pile on it by back-stabbing my colleagues. I’d rather not get ahead than push someone down.
The apartment was quiet while I packed for the weekend. I texted Greer that I was going to be out of town for two nights. I didn’t hear back from her.
She didn’t have access to her phone in some of the senate committee meetings. She said security was always a top concern. She had to leave her phone in the office. I’d probably hear from her later tonight. I wasn’t ready to give her other details anyway. She would interrogate me more than Meg had.
I quickly gathered a few outfits, making sure to pack a special black lacy number I had ordered online. I didn’t have a plan when I saw it on the website. Only that Vaughn had to see me in it. I zipped the suitcase until it was closed completely.
I heard a knock at the door and practically skipped to let Vaughn in.
“Hi.” His sexiness was devastating.
He pulled me in for a kiss.
“Hi.” I smiled, reeling from the way his lips felt. I knew if he let go I might slip off balance.
“Ready?”
I nodded. “I’ve never been to a winery, so I wasn’t sure what to pack.” I walked to my bedroom to retrieve my suitcase. “I don’t need anything dressy, do I? I think I packed enough, but…”
“It’s casual. Out in the country,” he explained. “Clothes are always optional.”
Vaughn tugged on the handle before I could reach for it. He lifted it from the bed and walked toward the apartment door.
“Coming?” He turned to wait for me.
I grabbed the keys, my purse, and locked the door behind us.
“Is this your car?” It was simple and non-descript. I pictured him driving something sleek, not a four-door sedan.
I waited on the curb while he placed my suitcase in the trunk. It had already started getting dark.
“No. I rented one for the weekend.”
“Oh.”
He held the door for me and I climbed into the passenger seat.
I watched his confident strides as he walked in front of the headlights. Once Vaughn was behind the wheel I let my shoulders relax.
“Hard day?” he asked. He must have noticed the change in my posture.
Everything about the trip felt surreal. I didn’t realize until now that I had been holding my breath, waiting for something to happen. Something that would keep us from leaving. Garrett. Work. Vaughn deciding this was too much too soon. I hadn’t let myself fully believe we would go away together until I sat in the car. It hit me, all the anxiety had been a useless waste of time.
Vaughn started the car and led us away from the row of brownstones. I frowned when I saw the endless line of taillights ahead of us. Everyone was trying to get out of D.C. for the weekend.
“How long did you say it takes to get there?” I asked.
“Longer with the traffic, but we should be there in a couple of hours.” He squeezed my knee.
